There’s nothing inherently wrong with dark rooms. They can be quite common, particularly in older houses, those that are overlooked by larger buildings, or interior rooms with no exterior windows.
The trick is to know what to do with them. That’s what we discuss in this post. Check out our ideas below:
Place Mirrors Close To Light Sources
Mirrors reflect light, so placing them near light sources can help to brighten up your rooms dramatically. They reflect light that would otherwise get absorbed by walls and other interior features, giving it a second chance.
Perhaps the best option here is to install a wooden floor mirror. Lean it against the wall so that it is angled towards the window (if you have one) or the ceiling light.
Add Fairy Lights
If you can’t get a lot of natural light into a room, you might as well make it a celebration of the artificial. Including fairy lights changes the atmosphere in the room, making it feel more playful and cosy.
The type of lights you choose will depend on the room. If you have a more industrial or modern room you’d like to brighten, consider using strings of classical lanterns. By contrast, if it's your bedroom that’s a bit dark, use smaller Christmas tree lights instead. Make sure that everything matches and is complementary.
Pick A Lighter Colour
Another option for increasing levels of light in your rooms is to choose lighter colors. The more white you can make your interiors, the more they will reflect both natural and artificial light.
You don’t have to stick with bright white emulsion if you don’t want to. Beige, ivory and slate grey are all good compromises.
Give Your Windows A Good Clean
Sometimes light can’t get into the darker rooms in your home because dirty or smudged windows in your home are preventing it from doing so.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to give them a good clean. Get a high-quality cleaning agent and then start wiping down your windows on both the inside and out. Once it’s dried, you’ll notice an increased sense of freshness and more natural light in your home.
Minimalist Furniture
Putting low-to-ground furniture in dark rooms is another good strategy for brightening them up. Tall furniture casts shadows, making already dingy spaces look even more unwelcoming. However, low-profile beds and sofas can help to prevent this by reducing the area over which shadows fall.
Also, leave plenty of space between individual furniture items. This will prevent the room from appearing cramped.
Aim Lights At The Walls
Another trick is to aim your lights at the walls. This way, you can simulate the effets of natural light streaming through the window.
You can do this with torchlights or sconces placed on your walls. You can also use directional spotlights, allowing you to illuminate the room in helpful ways while avoiding glare.
If you notice a dark spot, bring in a floor standing lamp with an adjustable head. This way, you can direct light where it’s needed most.
Reduce The Amount Of Wall Art You Have
If you have a dark room, you can make the mistake of overdoing the wall art. This approach, however, is counterproductive, and can actually make the lighting situation in your home even worse. Too much artwork makes the room look messy and busy, impeding the amount of brightness available in the space.
If you have a dimly-lit room, limit yourself to three pieces of artwork, wall hangings or tapestry. Leave the rest of the space as white walls which reflect any incoming light.
If you must have artwork on your walls, make sure that it is light and reflective in colour. Paintings on clouds and sea views are good options here.
If you want a little extra light, you can place small lights underneath your artwork to illuminate it.
Choose Dull, Grey Curtains
There might not be anything particularly exciting about grey curtains, but if you have a dark room to contend with, they can be the difference between night and day. Grey is both sophisticated and allows ample light to enter the room.
Add A White Rug
Wooden floor boards and darker tiles are a bit like large items of furniture in that they have a habit of absorbing light as it enters the room. However, you can correct this by adding a white rug, something that will reflect incoming sun rays.
When choosing a rug, find something large the covers most of the floor area in the room.
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